Janet Evanovich Book Group discussion

I was talking with a friend, and fellow fan, about Stephanie's persona in the first few books as compared to how she is now. My friend said that she sort of preferred Stephanie as more of a helpless Ditz, rather than the survivor she has become.
Personally I disagreed. I think that her character evolution was done well, and that it was important to the character (and for the survival of the books). Plus, Steph still shows her ditsy side.

What do you all think? How do you feel about the evolution of the Stephanie Plum character? Also, the evolution of any other characters.

I like how she has evolved because it would get boring if she constantly had to be rescued. She's not completely helpless anymore but at the same time she still is. Sometimes she can handle herself and other times she can't. As long as she keep blowing up all her cars I think everything will be fine lol.

I completely agree that Stephanie's character has progressed throughout the series. I actually found it sort of annoying how in the beginning she was constantly having to be rescued. I think now she is a much stronger character who can handle herself in a majority of situations but still takes help from her friends when she needs to. She still shows her ditzy side which keeps the book lighter but I like the development of her character.

As to Stephanie being rescued in earlier books -- I think Evanovich was being realistic. I like kick butt heroines as well as anyone, but sometimes the things I read strain credibility to the point where the female character becomes a cartoon instead of a real woman with real limitations. And I don't mind the romantic touch some of those rescues add or think it diminishes her independent nature. A woman can be strong in hundreds of ways without having to be King Kong.

I agree Allyson, I like the fact that Evanovich adds in the romantic aspect through some of the situations where Stephanie needs help. But I don't really like Morelli's character because he seems to be constantly telling Stephanie not to do something or telling her that she needs to get a new job.

I actually love that about Morelli! It's realistic enough to believe that he hates that Stephanie is constantly in danger and he wants to protect her. It's like what he said in book eight- he would love to keep her safe but he doesn't know how. It's a failing on his part that he can't come to the comfortable place where he can accept Stephanie's job or evolution.

I think his frustration works because it's something that Morelli and Steph will have to work on together. It's obvious that they love each other but it's a matter of how in the hell do they make it work.

However, though Stephanie has evolved into a better bounty hunter and a stronger woman - Morelli needs to evolve as well.

Stephanie is definately learning, now she checks the hoods of cars to see if they've been parked there long. Yet she's still makes goofy choices, like using the bathroom in the apartment she was staking out. And Hijinx ensue. I like the way Janet illustrates that no matter how far she's come, she still has plenty to learn.